Triggered fishing device



May 15, 1951 A. B. CAMP ETAL.

TRIGGERED FISHING DEVICE Filed March 25, 194'? FIG. .3.

RALPH s. amass,

Patented May 15, 195i TRIGGERED FISHING DEVICE Archie B. Camp, Rockville, Md., and Ralph E. Cross, Washington, D. 0.

Application March 25, 1947, Serial No. 736,966

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to fishing apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic triggering mechanism that will be tripped for actuation when the line is disturbed by a fish.

With the usual form of fishing rod, it is necessary for the fisherman to manipulate the rod at exactly the proper moment in order to properly hook the fish. In the present invention, however, the automatic triggering mechanism may be left unattended, and a predetermined tension on the line by a fish will automatically release the trigger to pull sharply upon the line. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described in the accompanying specification, but it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of the device, the trigger mechanism being shown in inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same de- V108.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the same device, partially broken away, with the trigger mechanism shown in set position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 44 of Figure 3. v

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 shows the device applied to a fishing rod.

The device comprises a body II! that is adapted to be positioned alongside a fishing pole I I. The body IB is provided with a longitudinal slot I2 running lengthwise thereof and curved at the end towards the tip of the fishing pole II, as shown at I3. A bolt I5 is adapted to slide freely in the slot l2. The bolt I5 is longer than the width of the slot I2, and is provided at one end with a head I6 and at the other end with a nut I1. A washer I8 is positioned between the nut I1 and the body II). It will be seen, therefore, that the head I6 and the washer I8 provide guides for the bolt I5 as it travels in the slot I2.

The body In is formed at its ends with two angular portions 2| and 22. A coil spring 23 is attached to one angular portion 2| of the body IIJ, by means of a screw 24. The other end of the coil spring 23 is secured to the bolt I5, preferably between the washer I8 and the nut IT. The spring 23 is normally biased to keep the bolt I5 in retracted position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The head I6 of the bolt I5 is provided with two parallel slots 26 and 21, for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. A movable lever arm BI, pivoted on a pivot 62, is adapted to engage the head I6 and to be latched in position by a latch 63 mounted on a pivot 64. The latch 63 is provided with a slot 65, through which the line 35 may be threaded. A pull on the line 35 will move the latch 63 counter-clockwise. The lever arm 6| will then be free to turn counterclockwise on its pivot 62, and the spring 23 will pull the head I I5 to the left. The straight end of the slot I2 may be provided with a rubber cushion or bumper 29.

The device, which may be constructed as an integral part of the fishing rod I I, is here shown as attachable thereto. For this purpose, the body It has two extensions 3| and 32, beyond the angular portions 2I and 22 respectively, that are shaped to fit snugly against the cylindrical portions of the fishing rod I I. The extension 3| may fit into a stationary sleeve 33 near the base of the fishing rod II, and a movable sleeve 34 riding on the rod I I is moved to cover and secure the extension 32. The bolt I5 is manually moved in the slot I2 until it is caught and held by friction in the curved end I3 of the: slot and the fishing line 35 may then be looped through the slots 26 and 2! in the head I6 of the bolt I5.

When a fish nibbles on the bait, the line 35 will be pulled, as shown in the figures. This will cause the head IE to travel downwardly in the curved portion I3 of the slot, and. the coil spring 23 will at once yank the bolt I5 to the left. The member 29 will cushion the bolt I9 at the end of its travel in the slot I2. This jerk on the line 35 will automatically hook the fish, and the fisherman, by a flick of the finger, can release the line 35 from the device and proceed to land the fish in the usual manner.

It will be noted that the device does not detract from the use of the pole II for casting or other forms of fishing.

The device may be made of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable substances. The triggering action may be controlled by varying the strength or dimensions of the spring 23, the length of the slot I 2, the degree of curvature of the portion I3, and the dimensions of the lever arm 6 I and the latch 63.

What is claimed is:

An automatic fishing device adapted to be connected to a fishing line comprising a body member having a longitudinal slot formed with a curved portion at one end, a line-gripping bolt slidable in said slot, resilient means urging said 3 bolt toward the other end of said slot, a lever rockable on said body and engaging said bolt for restraining said bolt in said curved end of the slot, and a latch member rockable on said body and engaging said lever and said line for normally securing said bolt at said one end of said slot and rockable upon tensioning of said line for releasing said bolt for sliding movement by said resilient means.

ARCHIE B. CAMP. RALPH E. CROSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

